Improvement in invalid-bedsteads



1 menu. Invalid Bedstead.

PatentedMarch 9,1875.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PKUTO -LITH.39 8.41 PARK PLAGEJLY.

I JACOB MICHEL, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID BEDST'EADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,694, dated March 9,1875; application filed December 24, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AGOB MICHEL, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Invalid-Beds,of which the following is a specification:

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in whichFigure l represents a longitudinal vertical section of my bed when theheadpiece is in a horizontal position. Fig. 2 is a similar section whenthe head-piece is in an inclined position. Figs. 3 and 4 are side viewsof the stop mechanism in different positions.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in combining with the head-piece of a bed tworacks, which connect with the head-piece by hinged braces, and to whicha sliding motion can be imparted by a crank-shaft and pinions. saidhead-piece being provided with hooks or slotted straps, which catch overstuds secured in the frame supporting the bed in such a manner that whenthe crank-shaft is turned in the proper direction the head-piece isfirst moved back and then gradually raised to an inclined position.

In the drawing, the letter A designates a frame, which supports my bedor mattress. The lower portion B of this mattress is firmly connected tosaid frame, while the head-piece O rests loosely thereon, being retainedin position as will be presently explained. From the under surface ofthe head-piece, near to its junction with the lower portion B of themattress, project two hooks or straps, a, close to the side rails of theframe A, and these hooks catch over studs 11, which project from theinner surfaces of said side rails. The upper or outer end of thehead-piece O connects, by two hinged braces, c, with two rack-bars, d,which slide in guide-grooves provided on the inner surfaces of the siderails of the frame, and which engage with pinions e, mounted on a shaft,f, which extends transversely through the frame A, having its bearingsin the side rails of said frame.

When the shaft f is turned in the proper direction, the head-piece Gfirst slides back until the bights of the hooks to strike the studs 12,and then the outer or upper end of said headpiece is gradually raised toan inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2. In order to accomplish thispurpose the sliding motion of the head-piece is indispensable; otherwisesaid head-piece could not be raised to an inclined position, or a gapwould have to be left between the head-piece and the lower portion ofthe mattress.

On the shaft f are mounted ratchet-wheels 9, close to the outer surfacesof the side rails of the frame A, and stop'pawls h, which are hinged tosaid side rails, can be thrown in gear with said ratchet-wheels, so asto retain the head-piece at the desired inclination. Each of the pawls his provided with a stop, 7;, by means of which it can be retained in araised position out of gear with the ratchet-wheel.

After the head-piece has been brought to the desired inclination thepawls h are thrown in gear with the ratchet-wheels; but when it isdesired to lower the head-piece, or to bring it back to its horizontalposition, the stoppawls must be raised so that the shaft f can be turnedbackward.

By this arrangement the head-piece O can be raised or lowered withoutdisturbing the person occupying the bed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of hooks or straps to, studs 6, hinged braces c, andsliding rack-bars d, with the headpiece G of a bed or mattress, and withthe frame A supporting said inattress, all constructed and operatingsubstantially in the manner shown and described.

.In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand andseal this 18th day of December, 1874.

JACOB MICHEL. n s]

